Chapter 1

I spent five years doing Matthew Puckett's dirty work. Then Julieta Munoz, the intern, came into our lives, seemingly untouched and innocent.

I watched him tread carefully around her and speak to her softly, as if terrified of breaking her in some way.

Finally, he warned me with a frown, "Don't come to my wedding. Your criminal record will scare Julieta."

My blood ran cold in that instant.

I had taken the fall for him and gone to prison to save his company, carrying a criminal record I could never erase.

I had even turned my back on my family and sacrificed my future to pave the way for him.

Had it been worth it?

*****

"Don't come to my wedding," Matthew said, standing by the window with his back to me.

My hand froze in midair, the files forgotten.

The old scar on my fingertip, a reminder of my time in prison, looked even worse under the harsh ceiling lights.

"Why?" I asked.

"Julieta is easily frightened." Matthew turned to face me, his eyes briefly scanning my hand with evident distaste. "Your criminal record would freak her out."

"Matthew, have you forgotten how I got that history?" I demanded.

Five years ago, the Puckett Group was accused of fraud and money laundering. The funds vanished, and the company teetered on the brink of collapse.

I stepped in to take the fall for him and the Puckett Group. Every charge fell on me.

For the three years in prison. I was beaten, humiliated, and forced to drink from the toilet, sleeping on moldy mats.

When I got out, I was nothing but a criminal, disowned by my family and tossed aside by society.

But Matthew? He soared to the top, becoming the youngest and most sought-after executive in Jinsburg.

He replied, "It was business.

"For five years, I made sure you had food and a job. Even though you were an ex-con, I never abandoned you. Hailey, you should have some gratitude."

Gratitude? I stared at the man in his sharp suit, so full of himself, and for the first time, he felt like a complete stranger, almost frightening.

There was a knock at the office door. It was Julieta.

Fresh out of college, she looked spotless, like a blank sheet of paper, her eyes clear and almost naive. "Mr. Puckett, here is your coffee."

She stepped inside nervously, and when she saw me, she shrank back like a frightened deer. "M-Ms. Levine is here, too."

Matthew's hard expression softened immediately.

He walked around the desk and took the coffee from Julieta. His voice was so gentle that it sounded almost sickening. "Did I not tell you? Let Hailey handle the grunt work. You do not want to tire yourself."

"It's fine, I wanted to help Ms. Levine with something," Julieta said, her cheeks flushing as she kept sneaking glances at me, curiosity and fear flickering in her eyes.

Everyone in the office knew I was the ex-con, the one nobody dared to cross.

Julieta, though, was the delicate flower, pampered and protected, untouched by anything harsh.

"Get out." Matthew waved me off as if I were an annoyance. "You are an eyesore. You will scare Julieta."

I lowered my gaze, hugged the files to my chest, and walked out.

As we passed each other, Julieta let out a startled cry, and the coffee cup slipped from her hand.

Scalding liquid splashed across the back of my hand, instantly turning it bright red.

"Sorry, I am so sorry," Julieta cried, frozen and nearly in tears.

Before I could react, Matthew shoved me aside.

I stumbled into the doorframe, a sharp pain shooting through my lower back.

Matthew took Julieta's hand, worry etched on his face as he checked her hand. "Did you get burned? Does it hurt?"

"I'm fine. It was Ms. Levine," Julieta said, pointing toward me, tears welling up in her eyes.

Matthew turned to me, his gaze dark and accusing. "Hailey, you did that on purpose, didn't you?"

I stared at my swollen, blistered hand. The pain was so sharp that it almost felt numb. "She could not hold it steady."

"Still making excuses?" Matthew snapped. "Julieta would not even hurt a fly. How could she drop the cup? You are jealous, trying to show her up."

Jealous? Hell, yeah, I was jealous.

I was jealous that she could stand in the sunlight, pure and untainted. I was jealous that she received all of your attention without condition.

And me? I was down in the gutter, watching you both bask in happiness.

"Go to the financial department and collect three months' pay," Matthew said, his voice icy. "I do not want to see you again before the wedding."

I lifted my head and held his gaze, long and hard. "Alright."

This time, I did not argue or plead.

As I turned to leave, I heard Matthew's soft, coaxing voice behind me, comforting Julieta. "Don't worry. I will not let someone like that appear in your life again."

The door slammed shut behind me.